Summer is firmly here... July 2013... and we’re both in the midst of a number of projects working to create a number of things, many of which are outdoor “living” installations / story spaces… We both work on many projects creating wildlife friendly outdoor environments in schools and other places. We work with children and staff to develop patches of land into spaces where food can grow, plants for insects can thrive, quirky things are hidden in long grass and where there is space for contemplation, reflection, imagination and well-being.

Soggy spring landscapes

Late spring, but there's still a lot of rain and flooding - the Yorkshire moors are running with water like many areas, and the rivers are full. Our work is often based in the landscape, and the beautiful muted but developing colours of this time of year look wonderful.

Blossom.. but will there be fruit later in the year?

Late May, and the blossom is finally out but almost four weeks late! This is crab apple, and one of the most reliably fruiting trees that gave us plenty of jelly last year. There haven't been so many bees around, so we're hoping that all the trees' efforts result in some fruit this year. The 'May blossom' (hawthorn) has only just made it to flowering in May, but finally the hedgerows are frothy with their flowers.

Spring is so vivid

We’ve been busy with woodland wanderings in preparation for up-coming projects… the woods are looking stunning at the moment with so many tiny woodland flowers (with wonderful names) , bird song all around, early leaves in every shade of green & small creatures busy all over…

We're all excited about growing new projects!

April 2013.Finally, there's a little bit of warmth, and we might even have shaken off the snow... things are starting to bud, and both Claire and Katy are planting seeds in schools. Claire's school allotment is coming along after all the hard work that has been put in over the winter. Katy's school garden has been expanded, and seeds donated by the local Britain in Bloom group have been planted in the greenhouse. At home, Claire's wildlife pond has tadpoles. Katy's chickens have started to lay, and the exploding cucumber seeds are coming up.

Our personal project plans are gathering pace too, and we're very excited about the possibilities of exhibiting locally. More details soon!

Ice, snow and frost... all around

January 2013.It's wonderful watching the discoveries children make as they explore ice and snow, they are intrigued by the different properties of frozen water - it prompts really in-depth artistic and scientific experiments...